TARMAGO

Technique • Motorcycles on track

Accelerating out of a corner

Prepare the exit before asking more of the engine.

Understanding the technique

Initial throttle application and strong acceleration are not the same thing. The initial opening needs a smooth touch. Increasing acceleration then accompanies a motorcycle pointed towards the exit and a reduction in lean, according to the corner’s shape.[8]

Why it matters on track

At a comparable lean angle, accelerating tends to open the line. Adding throttle while the motorcycle still needs to turn can therefore complicate the exit. Waiting for a suitable direction is not automatically wasted time: it is a decision linked to the corner.[8]

Mistakes to avoid

Accelerating simply because you have passed a kerb, regardless of direction; opening hard then having to close to correct the line; trying to copy another motorcycle’s exit. Do not make the first instant of throttle your only quality indicator. How it fits the line matters more than the isolated input.[8]

Building it progressively

Choose a simple corner where you feel comfortable, in suitable conditions. In your group, keep a conservative entry and work only on the transition to the exit. If you have to correct your line after opening the throttle, review your preparation of the corner rather than adding more throttle. Progress without putting yourself in danger, keeping a margin throughout. Do not disable rider aids or seek a slide.

What you can check with Tarmago

The GPS-speed-coloured trace, gaps and splits in the lap analysis in our telemetry tools help locate an exit to review; they do not show throttle position. Note your gear and what you felt. Use the gearing calculator to compare mechanical configurations, without assuming that a change will fix your technique: examine the line and input first.

In our telemetry tools, lap analysis shows lap-by-lap times, gaps, splits with the best highlighted in red and a GPS-speed-coloured trace. Add your observations to the circuit notes, corner by corner. Review this information in the paddock, never as a distraction on track. GPS measurements do not show your gaze, brake-lever pressure or throttle opening.

Detailed analysis in our telemetry tools (speed curve, ideal lap and lap comparison) is part of the paid Tarmago+ plan.

Frequently asked questions

Should I accelerate as soon as I reach the apex?

Not as an automatic rule. Motorcycle direction and the opening of the corner matter. Smooth initial throttle must not be confused with strong acceleration. Practise this transition gradually in a familiar corner without reducing your margin.

Does a higher exit speed prove better technique?

No. Traffic, entry and conditions can also change the result. Use GPS speed and splits as discussion points, not as proof of good throttle modulation.

Technical references

These references support principles, not universal instructions for your motorcycle. The practice suggestions and textbook position are Tarmago editorial guidance, separate from the sourced passages. Adapt them to your situation, progressing at a pace that preserves your margin. Your organiser’s rules take precedence over those of the schools cited.